Blessings ~ România 🇷🇴 Mission ~

July 28, 2021

It's been over a year and a half since we've seen all these Cutie Patooties!  In no time at all we will be home and enjoying their company! I'm so thankful for technology that has made it possible to keep in contact with them while we are far away; it's not quite the same, but close. 

Here are a few things we’ve been missing:

~ Timmy, Sarah, Millie and new baby little Annie ~

Missing the newborns, the snuggles, baby blessings, tummy time, bath-time, first steps, museums, hanging at the Alpine house, 1st of everything, 

~ Kenny, Lindsay, Penny and new baby Daisy Dot ~

Missing the parks, the funny faces, game nights, tickle bugs, Alpine Days, halloween, carnivals, performances, hugs, 

~ Robbie, Kelli, Linc, Londy & new baby Scarlett ~

Missing the cousin gatherings, parties, playtime, shopping,  vacations, soccer matches, dances, dress-up, crafts,

~ Willie, Grace, Sadie, Isla and Emma ~

Missing feet massages, games, toddlers, discoverings, reading time, sisterly love, swimming, walks, lakes,

~ Marcie, Jamis, Char, Att, Haze, and Mare & Miles ~

Missing the reunions, birthdays, puzzles, legos, karate, holidays, report cards, popcorn & movie nights, squeezes, 

~ Mindy, Jakob, Kobes, Luke, Jude and Tate ~

Missing the graduations, ordinations, projects, celebrations, talks at church, frisbee golf, mission farewells, football, big backyards.

Has it been hard not seeing these little critters for the last bit? YES! Is serving a mission worth missing all of these family times and gatherings? YES! While in Romania we have learned the need for senior missionaries is high. Consequently, we are happy we could be of service.  Being away from these tooters, on occasion, feels like a big sacrifice, especially if there are problems back home, but the time really has gone by fast and we hopefully have done some good.

We are thrilled that we have been able to enjoy our children as adults and watch them grow and develop into the wonderful parents that they are! It is a blessing to be included in as many activities as we can with these adorable grandchildren when we are in the States!

They are living their lives and we are so blessed to be a part of their families but we are still young and healthy and are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to serve others in the capacity of a full time mission.

We love these kids to pieces and look forward to seeing them again and spending time with them! 

When looking at the Eternal Plan of Salvation  (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/plan-of-salvation?lang=eng), serving a mission is a small sacrifice for us and for our children. They still have many trials and tribulations and maybe we could have eased a few of them by being closer to them over the last 2 years but we truly believe that we are where we need to be at this time. Has it been a sacrifice, you bet. Has it been worth it, a thousand times over yes!  

Most couples go out for 1yr to 18 months.  That is probably the time frame we will go out on our next mission!  Because of Covid and the availability for senior couples to serve, it has been a blessing that we choose 2 years for this mission.  Our Mission President is living in Hungary and has only had the opportunity to come over to Romania 4 to 5 times; because of this the senior missionary couples have been able to help more during the pandemic. We were able to travel all over Romania when the AP's were restricted and also help with transfers when the missionaries couldn't use public transportation, we could still go and check on them (and their apartments 😉), etc.. 

Today, Bill and I celebrated our Wedding Anniversary 💑!  When we first met 42 years ago we talked that first week about serving missions together when our children were grown.  It seemed like a lifetime ago but what a fast roller coaster our life has been on.  We truly feel so blessed to have been able to have the opportunity to serve together here in Romanian and to grow as a couple and come closer to our Savior. It has been such a pleasure to work side-by-side with Billy and see his tenderness, wisdom and spirituality when working with the missionaries, members and investigators.  It is a treasure I will always keep close to my heart.

I know that the Savior knows us and is mindful of each and everyone of us.  We are grateful to have this opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people in Romania as we can!